Title: George
Author: Alex Gino
Genre: Middle grade fiction
How I got the book: I bought it
Summary (from Amazon):
When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl.
George thinks she’ll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte’s Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can’t even try out for the part . . . because she’s a boy.
With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte — but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.
My Review (may contain spoilers!):
This is a must-read book for everyone.
It was quick and easy, but holds a powerful message.
George was born a boy, but knows she’s really a girl at such a young age. She doesn’t know how to tell people and tries to let people know by playing Charlotte in the school’s play, Charlotte’s Web.
One could learn a lot about acceptance from this book. When George’s mother finds out, she’s in denial. She’s shocked. She thinks that because George is so young, she doesn’t know what she wants.
Meanwhile, George’s best friend Kelly, accepts George for who she is. It shows the innocence of young minds, which I think is very important. If young children can see past differences in each other, adults should as well.
It was a happy ending for George, one that made me tear up a bit. We don’t exactly know what happens to George after the story, but we have a good guess.
George by Alex Gino gets 5 out of 5 stars.
Favorite Quote:
“My point is, it takes a special person to cry over a book. It shows compassion as well as imagination.” –Alex Gino, George